If
you play slow-pitch softball in Sandy, chances are you know Ken Reich. Ken is a
scorekeeper who has overseen many of Sandy’s softball leagues and seems to know
most of the people who show up to the parks, whether it be those there to play
or their families there to watch. He is known for going out of his way to greet
players by name and to make conversation with those watching a game, making
games in a Sandy league a little different than most places.

Reich
has been scorekeeping in Sandy for 21 years. He began the job in the late
nineties to raise money for his oldest daughter’s wedding. He realized that he
liked the gig and found he was particularly good at it, so decided to keep at
it. After two decades, Reich has witnessed a lot of different things, but what
he enjoys the most revolves around the people he interacts with.

“I
get to watch people grow up out here. Some of these younger guys have been
coming to the fields since their dads were playing,” Reich said.

Most
teams that are familiar with Reich prefer him to be the scorekeeper, and often
ask whether he will be manning the league or the field they are playing on. The
guy can’t be everywhere of course, but he also trains and mentors most of the
other scorekeepers who work for Sandy City’s Parks and Recreation Department.

“He
is my right-hand man and understands how everything needs to be run. Other
scorekeepers will call him with questions at the fields before they call me
sometimes,” program coordinator for the parks department, Linda Martin, said.

At
a time when other city’s leagues seem to be shrinking or becoming less
competitive, Sandy continues to grow and attract good teams year after year,
something Reich credits to Martin’s organization and leadership, which is a big
part of it. But, one can certainly see that being greeted by a guy who
remembers the big hits, and the small ones, from a previous week’s games is
every bit as important as how well the league is administered. People know what
to expect from a Sandy league; they are well run and family friendly.

“He
is awesome and a big part of why our programs are so successful,” Martin said.
“He is very reliable and takes so much pride in his work.”

On
top of doing the job for over two decades, Reich played softball for close to
25 years. He also coached both of his daughters during their playing days. He
brings a lot of experience as well as a deep love for the game and for people.

Reich
keeps score every night of the week, mostly at Quarry Bend these days, but he
does get out to Crescent Park weekly as well. He oversees men’s leagues, co-ed
leagues and Sandy’s unique clean and sober league, all of which welcome teams
of varying skill levels from very good to first timers. Reich retired from his
career at the post office years ago, but had no plans whatsoever to close the
scorebook and shut down the scoreboard.

“I
won’t retire from this — they’ll have to carry me out,” Reich said. “As long as
I am enjoying it and they’ll tolerate me, I’ll be out here.”